Fermented beverages add microbes to the gut, makes food more digestible, eliminated anti-nutrients, increases micronutrients, helps curb sugar cravings, increases flavour of foods, reduces the risk of cancer and promotes healthy bacteria in the gut.

What is fermentation?

Fermentation is a metabolic procedure in which microorganisms, for example, bacteria, yeast or fungi transform organic compounds – generally carbohydrates, for example, sugars and starch – into alcohol or acids. For instance, yeast converts sugars into alcohol, lactobacilli bacteria turn sugars and starch into lactic acid.

11 Amazing Health Benefits of Fermented Beverages

Adds microbes to the gut

Numerous individuals prefer giving their kids fermented drinks to get a good supply of live “good” microorganisms. Some of the examples are yogurt, kombucha tea, and kefir.

Makes food more digestible

The lactose in milk is separated into simpler sugars – glucose and galactose – which, on the off chance that your kid is lactose intolerant, can make items, for example, yogurt and cheddar conceivably easy to digest. Likewise, numerous microorganisms, create proteins that separate cellulose in plant substances, which kids can’t process, into sugars.

Eliminates anti-nutrients

Natural or synthetic compounds that interfere with the absorption of nutrients, called anti-nutrients, can be destroyed by fermentation. Phytic acid, for instance, which is found in vegetables and seeds, ties minerals like iron and zinc, decreasing their absorption when eaten. However, phytic acid can be separated during fermentation, so the minerals become accessible.

Increases micronutrients

Some bacteria can increase levels of vitamins in food, especially B vitamins. Hence fermented drinks add micronutrients.

Bits of help keep the immune system healthy

80% of your kids’ immune system resides in their gut.  A healthy gut is equal to a healthy immune system. Adding fermented drinks to your kid’s diet will help ensure a healthy gut.

Helps curb sugar cravings

By adding fermented drinks to your kid’s eating regimen, you can confine, if not totally stop, their sugar desires, by managing your microbiome and furthermore help their taste buds acclimate to all kinds of flavors.

Increases flavor of foods

Fermentation adds a new depth of flavor to fermented drinks.  They are delicious!

Chock full of good bacteria (probiotics)

A few specialists say that every little 1/2 cup serving of fermented drinks can contain up to 10 trillion probiotic creatures.  Probiotics are live microorganisms –, for example, bacteria, yeasts, and parasites – that inadequate amounts may have medical advantages. They can enhance digestion, help protect against disease, and enhance immune function.

Reduces the risk of cancer

Another claim about some fermented foods is that they help prevent cancer. Studies from Sweden and the Netherlands have found fermented milk products reduce the risk of bladder cancer.

Lactic acid promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut

The lactic acid produced during fermentation helps healthy bacteria already present in your gut to proliferate.  This leads to better gut health!

Changes taste

Children are bored with drinking regular drinks. Give them fermented drinks which enhances the taste buds.

Recipes of home-made fermented drinks

1. Ginger Ale

Ingredients

1  Ginger Root, 1 Cup Sugar, Lemon rinds, 1 Gallon Non-Chlorinated Water.

 Procedure

• First, make what is known as a ginger bug. This will be the starter to make the ale. Snap off a piece of ginger the size of your thumb and grate it finely. Place the ginger in a small mason jar or something similar. Add 4 Oz. of nonchlorinated water and 3 Tbsp. sugar. Mix well with a spoon. Cover the jar with a paper towel and seal with a rubber band. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 4-5 days. Add an additional Tsp. of sugar daily as the bug likes to be fed.
• Let’s make a ginger tea. Finely grate the remaining ginger and place it in a large pot with the water, sugar, and lemon rind. Boil for 15 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
• Strain the tea into two large mason jars evenly. Strain the bug and divide it into the 2 mason jars with the tea. Cover the jars loosely with lids. Allow the jars to rest at room temperature for 4-5 days. Burp the jars daily to release excess gas build up. Over this course of time, natural carbonation will occur. Once ready, pour over ice and enjoy!

2. Healthy probiotic drink

Ingredients

A 1-quart glass jar with a lid, one cup of sliced fruit, two multi-strain probiotic capsules, one tablespoon of pure honey, filtered or distilled water and something to stir with.

Procedure

• The first thing to do is dump the fruit into the jar and smash it up with a spoon.
• Pour honey into a jar. Open up your probiotic capsules and dump them right into the jar and fill the jar with distilled or filtered water. Give it a little stir and then put the lid on the jar.
• About once or twice a day, just give your jar a little shake to agitate it, then let it sit out. On the counter for two to three days, now if the top starts to get a little bulge and it gets really hard all you want to do is open the jar and just let some of the air escape and then screw the lid back on.
• Now after two days you can give a little taste and see if you like it. if it needs to ferment a little bit more, leave it out for another day, but never drink directly from the jar, you’ll introduce bad bacteria and we don’t want that. Now when the taste is to your liking, all you have to do is filter out your fruit and pour in a glass, keep this in the refrigerator and keeps for about two to three weeks. It’s kid-approved, which is always a great thing.

3. Fermented strawberry soda

Ingredients

1 and  1/2 cup of Frozen Strawberries, 1 Gallon Bottled Water, 1 Cup Sugar Juice, 1 Lemon, Pinch of Salt, 1/8 Teaspoon Champagne Yeast.

Procedure

• Bring 2 Cups of water to a boil in a small sauce pot. Add the lemon, sugar, and salt. Stir till dissolved.
• Place the frozen strawberries in a large bowl. Pour the water mixture on top and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Puree the water and strawberries till perfectly smooth.
• Place the puree in a clean 2-liter bottle. Fill with water being careful to leave 2 inches of space on top. Add the yeast place the top on and give a good shake.
• Place the bottle in a dark cool area of your home for 1-2 days to allow the carbonation to form.

4. Kombucha

Ingredients

1 Scoby, 16 cups filtered water, 12 grams black tea (12 tea bags), 1 cups white sugar, 1 cup natural kombucha

Procedure

• In your tea maker, boil 8 cups of water. When it begins to boil add your tea and let it sit off the boil for about 20 minutes.
• Once your tea is brewed, transfer strained tea into a large glass container. Add your sugar to the tea and stir until dissolved. And add in the rest of your water and let the temp settle to below 90 degrees.
• Add Scoby to your tea along with 1 cup of Kombucha or Starter Liquid. Cover your container with a clean kitchen towel and secure with a rubber-band. Place your container somewhere dark with a temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit if possible. It is suggested to use a heating pad under the container to get this temperature because the end results will be optimal!
• Let it ferment for 7-10 days. Liquid should be a light golden brown color after it ferments. You can now enjoy a glass of kombucha.

Conclusion

Add fermented drinks in the diet of your child, which helps them maintain a healthy gut.